The two journalists pardoned and released yesterday by North Korea, in part due to the diplomatic efforts of former President Bill Clinton, arrived home yesterday afternoon, their plane touching down at the Burbank Airport, near Los Angeles. Euna Lee and Laura Lingenjoyed a heartfelt welcome home from their families and friends. In a brief press conference held on the tarmac, Ling expressed her joy at seeing Clinton after being told they were being set free. “We feared that at any moment we could be sent to a hard labor camp,” she said, “and then suddenly we were told that we were going to a meeting. When we walked through the doors, we saw standing before us President Bill Clinton. We were shocked, but we knew instantly in our hearts that the nightmare of our lives was finally coming to an end.” President Obama, who, as was revealed later in the day was fully briefed on Clinton’s trip, thanked the former president for his help, saying, “We are obviously extraordinarily relieved” and “very pleased with the outcome.”

Meanwhile, it was also revealed that billionaire entertainment tycoon Steve Bingnot only lent Clinton his private plane – he will also pick up the $200,000 tab for the entire trip. Bing, owner of Shangri-La Entertainment, is also known for fathering a child with model/actress Elizabeth Hurley.